Special City Council meeting 4-22-26

The City of San Angelo held a special city council meeting on April 22, 2026, primarily focused on the proposed development of a large data center project by Skybox Emergent. City planning staff presented proposed zoning ordinance amendments to regulate data centers through a conditional use process, including site location restrictions, design guidelines, noise and lighting controls, and water and wastewater usage limits. The utility ordinance was also discussed to impose water consumption and wastewater discharge regulations specific to data centers. Representatives from Skybox Emergent detailed their experience, the technology to be used, water usage transparency, job creation estimates, and community engagement plans. Public comments were extensive, with many residents expressing concerns about water resource depletion, environmental impacts, noise pollution, housing shortages, and transparency, while others supported the economic benefits and job opportunities the project could bring. No formal votes or motions related to procurement or contract awards were recorded during the meeting, but the discussion laid groundwork for future regulatory and development decisions regarding the data center project.